Acceleration complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
I purchased a 2005 Chevy Cavalier new in December of 2004 and in March of 2013 the gauges stopped working. They would randomly work one or the other now all my gauges have stopped working all together. I have no clue how fast I'm going or how many rpms I'm using or if the car is overheating or not!
Car was at a red light speedometer indicated 85 MPH. Upon start up speed indicated 110 and at next stop went down to 90. After letting the car sit for a couple days the indicated speed was 45. Driving in a 25mph zone and speed indicated 85.
While driving down the road my speedometer for stuck. I know I was going 60 when it happened because that's what it is stuck at.it isn't the first time this has happened. My car has had multiple problems with the windshield wipers, windows, and engine light.
I have a 2004 Chevy Cavalier ls sport. Well lets first start off with my drivers side window motor. It went out about a year and half ago and we fixed it this summer. Apparently it is a huge problem but of course no recall on it so paid almost 300 dollars myself to fix it. Then after that when I would start my car and put it into drive, the car would sputter and the ABS and trac off lights would come on. Next about 5 months ago I noticed that my gas gauge was fluctuating a little. Didn't give it much thought but then 2 months ago my temp gauge was going haywire. Called the dealer and they said that there was no recall and we would have to pay to have it fixed. Well we all know money is tight so I have left it. Low and behold late last week, the MPH gauge said I was going 100 MPH in a 35 zone. I had to take a double look. Dealer again says no recalls. …
Dt: the contact experienced sudden unwanted acceleration. The contact was trying to park when the vehicle accelerated and crashed into another vehicle. The vehicle was repaired by a service dealer that did not tell her the cause. She believed the problem was caused by the cruise control. Updated 11/30/05.
There are numerous things, and the delaership has convinced GM, because I wrote GM about the problems with this, that I am making this stuff up to get an SUV. First the radio wasn't working, they put the cable back on said it was loose, its still not sounding like a radio should. Next was the popping in the front end, dealership turned rotors, under warranty back brakes squealed real loud they said it was dust I had to pay for that. Back brakes still squeal, front end still pops like a bad cv joint. Trunk wouldn't shut had to keep slamming it. Took it back they greased it worked for awhile starting to get hard to shut sometimes. Brake lights and back lights and cruise control quit working . Took it to dealership at least 5 or 6 times till they finally replaced it how long it will last I don't know. …
Tl contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier. While driving 17 MPH, the accelerator pedal extended to the floor when it was depressed. She depressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle failed to stop. The contact drove into a ditch to avoid being hit by a tractor trailer that was traveling 95 MPH. The entire passenger side of the vehicle was destroyed from the rear to the front end. The air bags failed to deploy. Five passengers sustained injuries. A police report was filed. The current mileage was 129,000 and failure mileage was 100,000.
I bought this car a 2002 Chevy Cavalier in 2005, and at the time there was 25K original miles so I was told. Since then I have found out there has been 5 recalls on this car for various safety hazards, none of which I was ever told about prior or during my purchase of this vehicle. The signals have failed, I had to pay for them to be replaced, the bearings on the tires caused dry rot and I had to pay to replace those, both were on the recall list. The engine would over heat in the idle position, and they replaced an air filter sitting that as the problem and it wasn't. The pedal sticks when I accelerate and sometimes gets stuck, the rockerarms have started to go bad and it has caused the valve stems to bend,thus causing the oilpump to seize up and now my cars engine has a blown gasket,this is under the engine component system recall, which was reported in 2007. I was never notified. …
Related recalls (1)
Vehicle speed control
The accelerator control cable could have been kinked during assembly causing high accelerator pedal effort, sticking accelerator control cable, or a broken accelerator control cable.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the accelerator control cable assembly.
NHTSA investigations
Erratic fuel gauge
There is no summary currently available
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet Cavalier years have acceleration problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2004 (27), 1997 (18), 2005 (18), 1996 (14) and 1998 (14) model years. Acceleration complaints make up 8% of all complaints for the 2004.
Is there a recall for Chevrolet Cavalier acceleration problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 95V-201 (vehicle speed control, Oct 23, 1995). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Chevrolet Cavalier acceleration problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 63,000 miles; 43% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the accelerator pedal (15 mentions), followed by the cruise control (13).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.